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Top 5 Best Performing Biotech Funds

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When market conditions are difficult and the bears are on the prowl, biotech funds could be the right medicine for a portfolio’s troubles. From a defensive perspective, the demand for healthcare services remains unaffected by prevailing market conditions. Again, funds which focus on companies engaged in drug discovery and biotechnological research, have great future potential. Biotech funds combine all these advantages and have the advantage of professional management to reap maximum benefits from this sector.

Below we will share with you the 5 best performing biotech funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all biotech funds, then click here.

Mutual Fund

Zacks Rank

Total Return YTD

ProFunds Biotech Ultra Sector

#1 Strong Buy

6.5%

Rydex Series Trust Biotechnology

#1 Strong Buy

5.4%

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A

#1 Strong Buy

4.0%

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences A

#1 Strong Buy

3.8%

Fidelity Select Biotechnology

#1 Strong Buy

3.6%

ProFunds Biotechnology Ultra Sector (BIPSX - MF report) seeks to provide daily returns identical to 150% of the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Biotechnology Index. The majority of its assets are used to purchase equity securities which are part of the index or possess similar characteristics. It also invests a smaller share of its assets in money market or debt instruments. The fund returned 26.71% over the last one year period

The healthcare fund has a minimum initial investment of $15,000 and an expense ratio of 2.72% compared to a category average of 1.98%.

Rydex Series Trust Biotechnology (RYOIX - MF report) invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities and derivatives of companies in the biotechnology sector which are traded in the U.S. It also purchases ADRs and government securities and may engage in futures and options transactions. It is a no-load fund.

This healthcare fund has a five year annualized return of 7.18%.

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A (FBDIX - MF report) seeks growth of capital by investing the majority of its assets in biotechnology firms and discovery research companies. It focuses on small-cap companies and may invest a small portion of its assets in private securities. The fund returned 24.36% over the last one year period and has a five year annualized return of 5.38%.

The fund manager is Vincent S. Xiang and he has managed this healthcare fund since 2004.

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences A (ETHSX) primarily invests in common stocks of companies whose primary operations are related to scientific advances in healthcare. It may also purchase fixed income securities of health science companies. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 4.21%.

The healthcare fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 2.11% compared to a category average of 1.98%.

Fidelity Select Biotechnology (FBIOX - MF report) seeks capital growth. It invests at least 80% of its assets in companies seeking to benefit from advances in the biotechnological sector. It may also purchases securities issued by foreign companies. The fund returned 24.18% in the last one year period.

As of February 2010, this healthcare fund held 79 issues, with 17.17% of its total assets invested in Amgen, Inc.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all biotech funds, then click here.

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutualfund/

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